Warangal: Traders refuse to purchase cotton from farmers of other districts

Warangal: Mild tension prevailed at Enumamula Agriculture Market Yard on Friday when the traders refused to purchase cotton from the farmers, who turned in large numbers. The farmers had an altercation with the traders when the latter showed unwillingness to purchase the cotton.

The traders said that they would not purchase the produce from the farmers of neighbouring districts – Nalgonda and Suryapet. On the other hand, the farmers argued that they would incur huge losses if the traders fail to procure their produce. "We have come from far-off places and if the traders refuse, we have to bear the burden of transport charges," a farmer from Nalgonda said.

However, the traders, who appeared adamant, said that they cannot purchase produce from the farmers of other districts. 'We have to give priority to the farmers of erstwhile Warangal district,' they said.

Enumamula Agriculture Market Yard Committee Chairman A Sadanandam and the police tried to pacify the farmers and assured them of working out a plan to purchase their produce. Warangal ACP Giri Kumar said that they have stepped up security at the market yard to avoid any untoward incident.

Later, the market yard chairman convened a meeting with the joint secretary of marketing, Warangal Chamber of Commerce representatives and Cotton Association members and told them to bail out the farmers, who came from far-off places.